A slightly darker Thando Thabethe left a few fans unimpressed. But the reasons for their unhappiness raised some concerns.

Plot twist much?

In the past many magazines have come under fire for major Photoshop fails leaving our favourite celebrities with either a lighter complexion, curves slimmed or a new airbrushed look, like a year ago where Grazia lopped off Lupita Nyong'o's ponytail.

Some of her fans, who were quick to comment on the fact that the starlet appears a few shades darker than normal on the latest cover of Cosmopolitan, seem to expose the sad reality of how prevalent colourism is around the world.

One comment read: “I wish they didn't make you look so dark, you're such a beautiful natural yellow bunny”. Another: "I love and support everything you do mara(but) your skin color is not doing it". [sic]

But if you take a look at the photo below, posted on Thando's page, the difference to the cover isn't that unwieldy?

Using words like yellow bone and yellow bunny is colourist. More so, romanticising lighter skin is centred around racism and is beyond problematic. Especially since we know the dangerous lengths some will go to to achieve a lighter complexion - like unsafe skin bleaching.

It's important for stars to feel that the way they are represented speaks true to themselves. And according to Timeslive, Thando did express how she felt to the editor. This is what their reporter revealed.

Thando says, "'I agree that, yes, I do look darker. I have spoken to the editor and she assured me that they did not do anything so I take her word for it.'"

"Cosmopolitan editor Holly Meadows told TshisaLIVE that the image was not altered.

"'Thando Thabethe is a remarkable woman and we are proud to have her star on this month's Cosmopolitan cover. We have not, and will never alter a cover star's skin tone. This goes against the grain of our core brand values, which include diverse and true representation of all women.'"